After PTI and PPP, PAT also says it will also file reference for PM's disqualification

LAHORE Dr Tahirul Qadri’s political party - Pakistan Awami Tehreek - is also going to file a reference with the Election Commission of Pakistan for the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from the National Assembly.

PAT, founded by in 1989, has become the third political party with plans to challenge the PM’s eligibility in the NA.

Two other opposition parties, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan People’s Party, have already filed references in ECP against the PM.

Announcing the decision, PAT spokesperson Noorullah Siddiqui said: “The reference will be filed very soon.” He said the decision was made in the party’s core committee meeting.

Ishtiaq Chaudhry, PAT lawyers’ wing head, said the reference against the PM would be filed under Article 62, 63 and 5 of the Constitution.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has failed to give satisfactory answers about his assets after Panama Papers’ revelations. He has concealed his assets from the ECP and is not trustworthy to keep his National Assembly seat,” he added.

PTI has already filed a reference seeking the prime minister’s disqualification on the back of apparent evidence it claims to possess.

The PPP, on the other hand, prepared a reference against the premier and four of his close relatives in Parliament - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s son-in-law Captain Safdar and nephew Hamza Shahbaz Sharif - seeking their disqualification. PTI believes that the respondents do not meet the criteria of qualification for holding public offices under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution.